A state senator from Queens is calling on state officials to pass legislation that would require street food vendors and food vendors at stadiums and arenas to undergo a grueling inspection by state health officials and to display a “grade” indicating the condition of their food carts and workspaces.

State Senator Jose Peralta recently introduced the measure that would require food vendors to undergo the same strict inspection as city restaurants and to display a “grade” issued by the state Department of Health (DOH) on their carts or workplaces.

(Albany, NY) The Senate Democratic Majority has passed legislation (S8130), sponsored by Senator José Peralta (D-Queens), to protect tenants from unknowingly moving into a property with a history of bed bug infestations. This legislation requires property owners or landlords within New York City to disclose infestation history to potential tenants prior to leasing.

According to the National Pest Management Association, bedbug complaints have increased 50 fold over the last five years, appearing in apartments, mansions and dormitories in nearly every corner of the nation

(Albany, NY) The State Senate Democratic Majority has passed legislation sponsored by State Senator Jose Peralta (D-Queens), Chair of the Consumer Protection Committee, requiring baby-bottles and sippy cups to carry a label warning consumers of the potential hazard of early childhood tooth decay and other dental issues resulting from the use of these products.

The sippy cup is often used for prolonged periods of time, including time spent sleeping and as use as a pacifier. During that time, sugary beverages other than water can pool in the child's mouth causing tooth decay.

Senator Jose Peralta, Assemblymember Hakeem Jeffries and Comptroller John Liu are calling on Governor Paterson to sign the Mortgage Bill of Rights Legislation, requiring mortgage lenders and brokers to provide consumers with a detailed document explaining the mortgage process and consumer rights and protections. This bill will ensure that consumers receive ample information before they begin the voluminous mortgage process.

In light of the recent ESPN story that revealed that health inspectors at stadiums and entertainment venues found a majority of food vendors had “major” or “critical” health violations State Senator Jose Peralta is introducing a bill that would require all food service establishments, food carts and pushcarts, schools, entertainment/sports venues, and hospitals to post a letter grade indicating the result of a health inspection of its food serving establishment.

If State Senator Jose Peralta has his way, the citizens of New York will get some warning before they buy toxic food at a sports stadium.

Reacting to an ESPN report about the prevalence of health violations with food and drink vendors at stadiums across the country, Peralta introduced legislation on Thursday that would demand that anyone selling food — regardless of whether it’s a restaurant, a push-cart or a stadium food vendor — post a letter grade indicating the result of their recent health inspection.

“As the Chair of the New York State Senate’s Consumer Protection Committee and State Senator representing over 300,000 New Yorkers, I have seen firsthand the devastating effects these challenging economic times have had on Americans. These distressing financial problems are often times compounded by the fact that many consumers simply do not know their rights and in many cases because they have been victims of predatory credit products.

Yesterday, Governor Paterson vetoed a measure the Legislature passed to combat the bedbug infestation in New York State. The bill would have required all used bedding to be sanitized before being transported, stored or sold with new bedding. The bill would have also required annual inspections of bedding retailers, rather than the current random process. Paterson said the bill would cost the state an additional $600,000 and the hiring of eight employees.

(Albany, NY) Governor Paterson has signed legislation (S8130), sponsored by Senator José Peralta (D-Queens), to protect tenants from unknowingly moving into a property with a history of bed bug infestations. This legislation requires property owners or landlords within New York City to disclose infestation history to potential tenants prior to leasing.

According to the National Pest Management Association, bedbug complaints have increased 50 fold over the last five years, appearing in apartments, mansions and dormitories in nearly every corner of the nation